Mental conditions and the goth lifestyle

[BrassFusion]

I don't think I'm a goth. I honestly don't know what MAKES one a goth. I could maybe get away with saying I am because of the music I listen to and the way I dress occassionally, but some people on this board know that I'm pretty preppy most of the time.

That said, why do depression/bipolar disorder/ADHD/anxiety seem to be more common among people who consider themselves Gothic, or have some connection to the lifestyle? For now, I'll include myself in the second category.

The only evidence I have for a correlation is from personal observation. If anyone has survey data about this, a link would be awesome.

[Onyx]

Sometimes I think that periods of depression (as long as one can function and it is not disabling) and antisocial tendencies just mean that a person is paying attention and not burying their head in the sand. There are really very few mainstream people I want to be very social with. It's not that I'm totally antisocial.

I once heard someone describe all things gothic as a "beautiful sadness", and I feel there *is* something beautiful about being able to accept all the realities of life, the good and the bad, and not being expected to paint on a happy face when one does not feel like it.

(or maybe I'm just more sensitive to this because I live in happy-happy land in the middle of picket-fence hell).

[Guest Megalicious]

I believe the only real study that has been done has been with the "gothic subculture" and self harmers. I found some quote though that seems to be useful ..

Those quoted in the article go on to explain that one of the reasons that many youths begin to identify with the goth subculture and make friends with others that do is because it is largely a very accepting and non-violent group. This can be appealing to youths who struggle with awkward periods during adolescence and find themselves on the outside looking in on "normal."

Yes you don't "feel" "normal" when you are depressed/bipolar/ or have some sort of anxitey disorder, and well other ppl while growing up don't see that kind of behavoir as "normal". People or young adults/adolescence which already have signs/behavoir of these mental illnesses see a place where ppl are accepting,so what do they do? They flock to it. Why wouldn't you?

I do however hate the fact that some through out the goth scene think being depressed is glorified and part of the culture it's self , there is a better way to live then walking around, your hand stapled to your fourhead thinking "oh woe is me" .......

I do not consider myself goth, I am a great mixure of all things. Though I enjoy alot of goth/synthpop/industrial music, and the company of ppl that like the same, it is only a layer in the very many layers of me =) Thats what happens when you were rasied by a hippie .....

[DJ Nocker]

Its hard to answer that question becuase different people have different opinions on what the goth culture is.

Some say its an attitude, others say its a style of dress, others say its a combo of both. so it depends on who you ask .

[DJ Nocker]

I also gauruntee that half the people on this forum will say they dont concider themselves "goth" or will say the opposite just to prove my statement wrong...

[Guest Megalicious]

Its hard to answer that question becuase different people have different opinions on what the goth culture is. 

Some say its an attitude, others say its a style of dress, others say its a combo of both. so it depends on who you ask .

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't think BF was asking the "what is goth" question, I believe is was just wonder in linking Mental conditons to the gothic lifestyle in general. And if there is any fact and or study with information why , besided just observing clubs and or the gothic scene.

[Head Wreck]

i dont think people in the subculture suffer any more or any less.

we just get a load of self dramatacists in the scene

[BrassFusion]

Yes you don't "feel" "normal" when you are depressed/bipolar/ or have some sort of anxitey disorder, and well other ppl while growing up don't see that kind of behavoir as "normal". People  or young adults/adolescence which already have signs/behavoir of these mental illnesses see a place where ppl are accepting,so what do they do? They flock to it. Why wouldn't you?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I never really thought of it that way. I was never severely depressed myself, but I was never good at making friends, either. Kinda insecure... never got to the point of cutting myself or anything.

[Onyx]

I've always been pretty good at making friends actually, but it's just hard to find those in my area or profession I want to make friends with. I tend to gravitate to goths, freaks and geeks, which are in short supply on my side of the state.

[Homicidalheathen]

I disagree. I find there are people with these disorders in every walk of life, but it seems goths are more open to talk about it.

Most people try to hide it or lie about it and pretend they are better than you in some other way.....

[BrassFusion]

I disagree.  I find there are people with these disorders in every walk of life, but it seems goths are more open to talk about it.

Most people try to hide it or lie about it and pretend they are better than you in some other way.....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It seems more socially acceptable among "goths" to have a bunch of conditions. Maybe almost to the point where people who haven't been diagnosed with depression will self-diagnose, self-medicate, and even brag about it. I've known people like that. Not goths, per se, more like punks... but I think that's about the same principle.

[kellygrrrrrl]

I read somewhere that the gothic tend to embrace sadness. To acknowledge what most put aside and ignore. To use it and twist into artform. Music, paintings, fashion.

on a different note.

birds of a feather flock together.

You know what I mean?

[BrassFusion]

Ok then. I'll start taking my happy ass to boogie fever on sat. nights.

=......(

I'm sad that I don't fit in.

Oh wait... Now I fit in with goths! Yay!

Now I'm happy!

Oh fuck...

[Fierce Critter]

Sometimes I think that periods of depression (as long as one can function and it is not disabling) and antisocial tendencies just mean that a person is paying attention and not burying their head in the sand.  There are really very few mainstream people I want to be very social with.  It's not that I'm totally antisocial. 

I once heard someone describe all things gothic as a "beautiful sadness", and I feel there *is* something beautiful about being able to accept all the realities of life, the good and the bad, and not being expected to paint on a happy face when one does not feel like it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with this 102%.

Also, perhaps we like to share our misery with each other more than "normal" people.

I think a negative aspect possibly may also be that there's a tendency for goths to try to "one-up" each other on the misery scale. "Oh, you've been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder? Well, I've been diagnosed as schizophrenic." It's both sad and funny.

I'm not drawn to things goth because of misery, however. I actually am quite joyous when immersed in "things goth", whether it be the music I like to dance to, the clothes I feel truly attractive in, the (mostly) open-minded people I mingle with.

[Blackmail]

There was an article on yahoo about this very topic last week.....and according to studies, yes, people who consider themselves "goth" have far more issues with depression than in everyday life.

But that's not really all that suprising, is it?

[phee]

There was an article on yahoo about this very topic last week.....and according to studies, yes, people who consider themselves "goth" have far more issues with depression than in everyday life. 

But that's not really all that suprising, is it?

No... not surprising at all

[BrassFusion]

But are they physiologically different than "normal" people? Or do they just convince themselves they are?

[Rayne]

But are they physiologically different than "normal" people? Or do they just convince themselves they are?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Clarify this please ... "they" as in whom?

[BrassFusion]

People who consider themselves "goth."

[wheresmypiggy]

i dont think people in the subculture suffer any more or any less.

we just get a load of self dramatacists in the scene

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Requoted for emphasis.

[Daevion]

wanna know if your goth or not? Click me

[BrassFusion]

If I post my avatar pic on that site I'll get a negative score.

[DeadBurgerKing (10)]

I dunno...This has stumped me for a while. I dont even know the diffrence between goth and emo. I mean emo is all depresed sad and completly alone.

Isnt goth the same thing?

The only diffrence I know of is emo are whiners and complain...but goths are silent and keep it to themselves.

In which case...I really wouldnt fit in the goth catergory...I'm to loud obnoxious and out going...but if that holds true...then alot of the people on this board arent goth either...it complexes me...

I think it's all a matter of opinion and theres no actual answer to this question...with that being said, does it really matter what youre classified as, but who you are?

[BrassFusion]

YOU are goth. Your American Idol character was emo.

[Steven]

all of this dreaded labeling......all of these pre-conceived boxes......